NBA Slow-starting Lakers trying to get healthy

Shaquille O'Neal isn't the only ailing player.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal will be sidelined for at least another week, Kobe Bryant isn't saying much and the Los Angeles Lakers have several nagging injuries.
It's all part of a miserable beginning to the season for the three-time defending NBA champions.
"Phil forewarned everyone that this could be a slow start. We raised expectations by going 2-5 instead of 0-7," Rick Fox said with a chuckle after practice Monday.
Prediction
Fox referred to coach Phil Jackson, who said several weeks ago the Lakers might lose their first seven games without O'Neal, who underwent surgery on his arthritic right big toe Sept. 11. Last year, with O'Neal in the lineup, the Lakers won their first seven. It wasn't until Dec. 26 -- their 25th game -- that they lost for the fifth time.
O'Neal, the MVP of the last three NBA Finals, had hoped to play for the first time this season tonight against Atlanta at Staples Center.
But that won't be the case.
"I wanted to play tomorrow, but it's just not right," O'Neal said. "I want to go out there the real Shaquille O'Neal. I want to be full speed or close to full speed.
"Right now, there's still some pain on the bottom. Hopefully, that pain will be gone in one or two weeks."
Players in pain
O'Neal's injury is the most serious, but the Lakers have other ailments. Mark Madsen remains on the injured list with a strained hamstring, and Bryant (calf), Robert Horry (hand), Devean George (ankles) and Samaki Walker (left thumb) are all playing in pain.
"We're just happy we've got three games in 10 days -- we can mend ourselves," Jackson said. "We don't even have a fair group of guys out there who are healthy, providing us with a semblance of what we want out there as a team."
The Lakers played their first seven games in 11 days, capped by last Friday night's 100-99 loss at Washington. "When we get healthy, even with the players we have without Shaq, we'll be fine," Jackson said.
O'Neal was to see a foot specialist today, but won't play for at least another week.
"This is his call, it's got to be his call," Jackson said. "I don't have any concern, we're pleased with his progress. If push came to shove and we were in a playoff situation, he could probably go out and play. I don't think he could play longer than a three-minute stretch right now.
"Shaq knows it's a long season, it's a marathon."
Comparable
The Lakers' start is tied for the second-worst for a defending NBA champion after seven games with the Baltimore Bullets, who began the 1948-49 season with a 2-5 record.